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samflowerv6's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
“I would make this girl want me, need me, love me, because fuck if I was going at it alone.”
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Pregnancy, Vomit, and Addiction
emouna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, and Blood
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
messyread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
michellemaas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Second read: 4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*First Read*
I want to premise this review by saying that I really did like this book but there were quite a few things I didn't like so just because I highlight those doesn't mean it's a bad book. In my opinion, you should definitely read the entire series since it is a top-tier mafia romance. Now that that's out of the way I'll jump right into things!
At times Nico and Elena were not good love interests. I get we're working with an edgy mafia romance with non-traditional main characters, but there was an instance where Nico described Elena as someone who "has the body of a porn star" and a scene where Elena she said she "didn't want men's respect (including Nico's)". Other than the fact that I'm pretty sure that scene set women empowerment movements back a couple of decades, both instances just rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn't get through this review without mentioning it.
Also, Elena was just a really annoying protagonist sometimes. I can't put into words why I felt that way but I did. Maybe it was the whole "pick-me" thing she had going on? Maybe it was the fact that she was attracted to and actively pursuing her sister's fiancee (even if it was an arranged marriage that's still not okay). You'll get what I'm saying once you read it.
Other than that, the sexual tension was A-plus (pool scene I'm talking about you). I liked the way the arranged marriage was resolved and the gas station scene was ICONIC (no other word for it). This book was mostly docked for missing some action. This is a mafia romance and neither of our main characters was seriously injured. I don't even think either of them got shot? I want at least one situation where I think one of my main characters is going to die (even if I know they won't).
I am going to end off by repeating that this is still a good book even if I had my gripes with it. Will definitely be rereading it soon!
*Second Read*
I had to bump up the rating after my reread because their sexual tension is EVERYTHING!! This series is by far the best mafia romances I've read (and since first reading it last year, I have read MANY others). I still agree with what I said in my original review, though I'm not nearly as bothered by those issues this time around as I was last. My biggest problem this time was the pacing. The first 60% went by in the blink of an eye, but as soon as Nico and Elena got together it lost a lot of its steam. Would still highly highly recommend if you're looking for a good Dark Romance though!
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Grief
rads27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Gun violence and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Drug abuse, Torture, and Rape
autumnreads98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Gun violence, Gore, Gaslighting, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, and Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy